This blog is a result of the heavy censoring of the media by the military dictatorship regime.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Prasad: Fiji has to change tack if it wants prosperity

Mauritius wealth

In a keynote address to the annual convention of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) at the Suva Civic Auditorium on Tuesday, Professor Biman Prasad (right) made some very relevant comparisons with the Mauritius about the loss of skills and the deprivation of Fiji's economy since the coups. In his speech on Creativity and Innovation in Education: Fiji's Future, Prasad argues for a new direction in schools, the removal of 55 as the retirement age and calls for the unification of the country's biggest unions - FICTU AND FTUC.

Brief History
Fiji’s independence in 1970 saw the ushering in of a new era. One filled with hope and glory. With the hope and glory accompanied developments which to some extent define the state of our education today. If we did a stock take of the first decade of our independence, we would feel very satisfied with the speed of developments in this country, including the development of infrastructure for health and education.

Economically we were on a growth trajectory which would have delivered significant prosperity for all the people of this country. In fact in the first decade of independence we were better than some of the now well developed and prosperous upper-middle income economies. One such comparison is often made with Mauritius.

Around 1986, Fiji was better or the same as Mauritius on a number of development indicators. Mauritius grew on average of more than 5% for more than 25 years. As a result, it has today some of the best indicators of development. For example, about 87 percent of Mauritians households own homes, there is free education to all from pre-school to the University, and free health services including heart surgery for every citizen.

There are a number of explanations offered for this kind of success: good and consistent economic policies, political stability and no coups because there is no military in Mauritius, and robust Mauritian democracy that has allowed the flourishing of talents, entrepreneurship and creativity based on an identity of excellence. Mauritius is a multi-religious, multicultural and multi-lingual society so it has much in common with Fiji.

Our country, as a result of the coups, continues to languish economically. We lost the confidence, trust and goodwill of our citizens and many have left to settle elsewhere. The trend has not reversed and more qualified Fiji citizens of all races will continue to leave the country. In fact, we can say that in the last 25 years, Fiji has been gutted of talents, creativity and innovation and along with this, huge amounts of savings and capital.

Unless this trend of declining confidence in the country is reversed we are likely to continue to suffer economically. If, however, we do reverse this trend, Fiji can bounce back very quickly. This would be helped if our education system continues to nurture and promote creativity and innovation. It is creativity and innovation in our economy that will help us to grow, create employment for our youths and help reduce poverty. Economic prosperity is vital for stability and social cohesion in Fiji.

Arguing for creativity and innovation Prasad suggests three ways Fiji can help pick itself up: a national education policy, change of direction in curriculum for primary and secondary schools and the regime revisiting the decision for people to retire at 55:

In addition, as country we need to review the terms and conditions of our teachers so that we can further incentivize and motivate our teachers to give the best and also to attract the best in the profession.

FICTU leader Attar Singh

FTUC leader Felix Anthony

Ladies and Gentlemen, Fiji is at the cusp of major changes and this will require the creative and innovative inputs of all the people in this country. The constitutional process announced by the government should be welcomed and everyone in this country must have the opportunity to participate. The opportunity to participate must come with a free, open and transparent environment.

In this respect, the government needs to immediately remove the Public Order Amendment Act, the media decree and the decree giving media privilege to the cabinet ministers and the Essential National Industries (ENI) decree. If we want a creative and innovative Constitution for Fiji, we need to free up the people so that they can participate without fear.

I want to urge the union movement in Fiji, that is; FICTU and FTUC to unite. The union movement should always be at the forefront to support democracy and human rights as that is in the best interest of their members. Today the union movement in Fiji stands divided and in disarray.

The unification of FTUC and FICTU must come about by ensuring that a united trade union movement is not aligned to any particular political party. The FTA and FTU could play a pivotal role in unifying the trade union movement. I encourage you to do that that. In fact, both FTU and FTA should seriously explore the possibility of uniting and forming one national ‘Teachers Union”.

Professor Biman Prasad..very good history lesson..would have been better if you suggested the abolition of unions…look at the well nourished Union fat cats in the photo compared to their struggling starved cousins in the cane filed in the most previous topic in this esteemed column.

Mr. Professor….it comes down to paisa??..paisa kah??..how would you make a river in the desert of our political impasse?..or a road to democratic sanity in this wilderness of political chaos?

May be do what Musaruf did in Pakistan economic recovery..or mother land India relied upon to built her to soon to become the 3rd strongest world economy..

Why…why…why..are local professors and the rest of them excludes the over 150,000 Fijians abroad in all their economic reckonings about our future prosperity????

Hello?? .we’re here!!..come on, do the sums in investments, education sponsorship, business mentoring, working holidays etc..etc..

Last count of Fijian multi Millionaires??..well, glad you asked..SE corner of Australia..about 23,..NZ about 12,..US/Canada…10,…every day they ask..WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY BELOVED FIJI, TODAY??..

Oh..and 2 of them may applying for license to set up a Merchant/Trading Bank in micro Financing..what about the rest of them, and the rest of us who may have 2 dimes to rub together and a dream and vision to rebuild beloved Fiji??

It was Baiman Prasad's friends in NFP who wanted the Independence from Britain.Had these and other idiots not agitated for this stupid independence, we would have been a perfect country ,developed and in the same league as Australia and New Zealand. Now these same NFP wants to remind us of what a great achievement the seperation from Britain has caused us.I hope nobody in their sanity ever return the NFP to parliament.

Very good points raised by Biman - Just to add on the roles of unions. While putting workers right first they should consider their country first- Are they doing justice, are there members putting 100% at work or just using union as a protective shield - look at what has happened to organisation who are heavily unionised eg FSC and PWD - ineffeciency, bogus sick sheets - Did any unuion leader so far stood up and told his members that these are wrong things - It doesnt help in the long run - Or are the union leaders more concerned about their 4WD, attaractive perks, assignment of full time driver, board member fees etc - my message to the union leaders talk to your inner consceience - moral law - are u or have u been doing the right thing

Well, well well, ain't it the changing of the times! When was the last time an Indo-Fijian delivered a keynote address to the Fijian Teachers convention? But one has to thank the Executives for looking forward-we becasme so segrated in our own thinking it even spread to medical & nursing institutions and what a sorry saga we started to build on! Is this the era of change for Fiji and its peoples? Have we now come to see that for Fiji to moved ahead of all its woes requires the simple principles of "love" rather than hate, inclusion instead of exclusion, that in UNITY we defy all the odds that other places and countries around the world seek yet can't achieve simply because "love" has become just another word we can't seem to put into practice. God Bless our country and all its future Leaders its for our children & theirs that we lay the hope of all things good that will eventually materialise. DRi Yani

No country in history has ever recovered from a coup. The downward spiral in Fiji started in 1987. It further gained momentum in 2000. In 2006 it notched up another gear. Yet I have a feeling there are more coups to come and this will further push Fiji towards darker times.So to people like Wadan, Biman, Brij and other professors who write all these articles please don't waste your time. Use with your students or better still go and play golf.Fiji has a cancerous disease called Coup. It has no cure. It's going to kill Fiji slowly but surely.My bad for just using Indian professors' names. Makes me sound like racist. This message to everyone I'taukeis, Indo-Fijians and General voters.

Let's look at 2014 impending elections if it comes whci I believe will never. Chief Warwar will havwe a tremendou asdvantage over other candidates and parties as he will have guns in hand when goingh into elections. If he wins then it has to be rigged. If he loses then he'll surely reach for his guns and take back power. He'll never leave power, he has tasted it. So all efforts by MCully,Carr and all and sundry will be put to waste.

Fiji academics is full of rubbish,all they do is fill their pocket bullshitting the people of Fiji,and stealing from the hard earn money of the students and their family,BIGGEST CON ARTIST !! Biman we need action,how to get the money from other countries using our resources with influx ideas and innovation and put it into practical not just sitting in your air condition office telling us the people of Fiji,show us the baby !!!..."

coup f fiji up.fiji is named uganda of the pacific.indians /fijian have to be united to kick bai/ag taliban /mosese and aziz out asap.if not fiji is doomed.we didnt learn from past coup.aziz had told carr they will decide next action before they go back to the barrack after election.so bai loose another coup.thats for sure.these thugs are lamu to end up in prison.ag told mc /minister they should rule for 20 years.so fiji will remain coup country unless we dismantle the army.no army no coup.

fiji union and people should be united force to bring the illegal regime down.come attar/felix lead the march .regime will run for cover when they see 20,000 people on the street.time for action enough talk.

Oh what missed opportunity to be on par or better than Mauritius. However the stumbling block towards this goal had always been the over bloated army. Bottom line is the army has consigned the country to the dog house where the people linger and languish in eternal regression. They have developed a psyche that makes them think they have the right to take over government at any twist or turn or if their fancy dictates so. Therefore something got to be done about them and their always interfering coups which has set the country many years back and poorer.

Anonymous 7:44 AM has a point. A mass work stoppage could have brought down this regime long ago. It would have hit the regime and its clique of Gujerati backers where it hurts them most -- in their wallets. And it would have triggered sympathy strikes overseas that could have crippled this economy.

It didn't happen because the regime co-opted most of the labour leaders and because Canberra didn't want to upset Aussie traders, tour operators, and their clients. This revealed those labour leaders as the rank opportunists they are and also showed the hypocrisy behind Canberra's Fiji policy.

Now that they're on the outside looking in, some of those labour leaders have joined the democratic opposition. Well, better late than never. Their earlier support for Bainimarama's treason is not forgotten, but their apparent change of heart should be taken into consideration when they account for their crimes.

Similarly, Epeli Nailatikau must answer for his role in abetting treason. On a personal level, he is quite an approachable and likable guy who has used his usurpation to advance various worthwhile causes. He's a drinker and bon vivant, yes, but he has conducted himself with considerable charm and aplomb at the numerous social events I've personally witnessed.

I strongly believe that Nailatikau flirted with the notion of using his powers as president and commander in chief to depose Bainimarama, but the opportune moment passed before he could prepare and summon the nerve. Consequently, Bainimarama resolved to become president himself, to ensure such an opportunity might never come again.

Nailatikau signaled his frustration when he said that he sees no reason to act against Bainimarama in the absence of popular unrest. I think he's been a bit of a thorn in the side of Bainimarama and Aiyaz. For example, I believe he never did sign RUM's discharge papers, which likely means the discharge is illegal.

I'm seldom accused of sentimentality, perhaps because it's faster for me to type with my teeth than my fins, but I appeal for clemency in Nailatikau's case. Others will disagree, but I submit that in view of the dignity of the office of the presidency, the worthiness of the causes he has supported, and especially what I believe will emerge regarding his efforts behind the scenes to moderate the behaviour of this regime, Nailatikau should be spared from execution.

biman u were personally involved in splitting the ftuc with the help of james raman and others can u honestly say u were not aiding and abetting the split process can u swaer on your holy book that u had no hand in doing that damage ,its like crocodile tears now I cant understand your agenda now

Dr. Bhiman Chand great job. I want to let you know that 50% of the bloggers on this site are wannabes. So pardon their ignorance and pay no attention to them. Most of them are Indo-Fijians and are half wits.

To the faceless cowards bloging from behind the shari and sulu i ra..go check with FAB if they paid for my Tuition??..then go kinoya pool and take a loong sweet dive..then come and tell the rest of us if you find your allegation in between the kosakosa there...lol

..Oh..should residential provisions of the electrol system be generous..that I will stnd against who ever..even the Rear Admiral..will I count on your votes or my Tauvu will win your miserable faceless being..

Reading the comments above compels me to reflect upon and do a quick stock-take on trade unionist and unionism generally in Fiji. The true unionist like James Anthony and Apasai Tora are unfortunately – history.

Today, more often than less, we notice union Leaders enjoying a life-style which is blatantly - bourgeois and which life-style is starkly separate and distinct from the ordinariness of the life-style endured by the general union members who are – working class.

The much spoken example of the general secretary of FPSA, Mr. Rajeshwar Singh and his BMW SUV readily comes to mind.

How many of Mr. Singh’s members own or drive a similar car and how many of his members are able to buy and enjoy Mr. Singh’s preferred ‘Blue’ or Black’ label JW Whisky as often as he does??? Mr. Singh is mostly very busy to meet his mundane members and he is known to be very arrogant if approached without appointment. I am not sure whether or not Mr. Singh has had extra-marital affairs (as is the norm with the job) but with a car like his it would be hard to think not.

The point I am making is in the existence of a dichotomy (contradiction) not only in the ‘class’ position but also in ‘class interests’ between the union leadership and union members.

With certain exceptions, the post Bavadra unionism in Fiji has lost vision and course, deteriorated, segmented (racial/political) and with total erosion of ‘industrial democracy’ and transparency and its Leadership is often entrenched like mafia-dom with their ‘dons’ and ‘demi-dons’ ego.

The union leaders are more preoccupied in making multi-million dollar real estate or share market investments, like businessmen, or petty politicking [SDL/ FLP/ NFP] or otherwise globe-trotting (purportedly for union business) rather than doing what they are paid to do, which is, carefully articulating and representing working class interests and struggles - to do with real life work conditions and pay.

Anita Singh why want to chip in to trade unions, the members know best who should be representing them, we do not need to tell them. They know who are serving them well so that's why the current guys are voted in. If they were working in the interest of members they wouldn't be there by now.

M P Chaudhary, you con man, you bastard, where is all the money collected on behalf of poor sugar cane farmers?

Why almost $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS DEPOSITED IN YOUR CBA ACCoUNT IN AUSTRALIA?

When are you going to Distribute it to the farmers? You SOB?

And ya also fooling the poor farmers in labasa about resettlement in Brazil/Argentina and collecting application fees of $30 each – You CONMAN – Whats the difference between you and Lolohea….both Master CON ARTISTS.

No, Anit, I don't think you're wrong. But now the union fat cats can make amends, by leading a general strike to shut down the regime. Oh, guess it's too late for that now, thanks to the Essential Industries Decree. Well, what the heck, do it anyway!..."

Anonymous said...No country in history has ever recovered from a coup.I beg to differ there was one in England led by a civilian which according to me is a coup! Civilians got rid of a KING! Cromwell is the name that comes to mind! Gandhi would also fall into the same catergory even George Speight would have had a successful one problem was he was just trying to save his own skin not the Fijians!

Anita Singh you forgot 2 Unionist in you post Sharky Kuchappan & James Raman,Both unionist thru and thru who were with Apisai Tora & James Anthony for the famous 1959 strike which resulted in them going to jail!These were people who fought for the workers-Sharky Kuchappan was one of the first to bring the wages of workers in Suva City Council above any other workers in Fiji-thats an achievement for someone who hardly completed primary school! What you reckon Mahen Chaudry?

The days of tough Unionists in Fiji is gone 1959 told us who they were and they still all well and kicking today because they were honest people,Tora,Anthony, Kuchappen,Raman. The chor fallows are now milking the workers! Guess who they are?

Much of Biman Prasad's comments are focused on how bad coups are for the general "PEST" characterisitics of a progressive developing nation like Fiji, however that is nothing new.

Biman's major flaw is comparing Fiji to Mauritius,in particular when he deliberately simplifies and avoids the "S" factor or Socio cultural differences between the two island nations.Mauritius does not have an indigeneous population like Fiji and to continue to dismiss or omit any perculiarity the Fijian has in relation to his basic rights in his country is to do so at your own peril...look at Fiji's history and learn Biman!!

Well said Tamani. Comparisons with Mauritius is naive and simplistic. Is this the best USP has to offer?One expects a 'professor' to know better.Problem with these indo academics unfortunately is that they are myopic. They simply cannot empathise with Fijians or comprehend the Fijian side of things. That's why we can't find solutions.half the problem is, as Wilson has correctly pointed out, third-rate professors from USP churning the same old, tired stuff. Then we have people like coup supporters Ganesh chand, who harbour an inherent dislike for Fijians, and another sorry example of a professor, low down coup supporter, Saten nandan, all opportunists milking the situation for all its worth.

Biman had said it well. Most would say that tomorrow can be better for us if we address the issues of concern today.

I just want to add that we are are onto our 32nd year after independence so we are still developing our politics as a nation. We have yet to reach maturity in our political growth.

Other nations, bigger and powerful ones like China and the USA, all have evolved through a history of political systems changes over the years.

We, Fiji as a nation will reach there one day...but not in the near future...we still need to grow and it will take time...

The time it takes depends on the issue of concern we choose to address first...and certainly not the issues of concern Biman had written here.

The issue of concern that must be addressed first in this beloved nation of ours is the issue of race.

Once we settle our nation to the political foundation that Fiji must adhere to address all issues of race relations between the two major races in Fiji, those of Indian origins and the iTaukeis, we can then address economic issues. The issues of concern written here by Biman.

I left Fiji in 1961 with clean hands. I was a union leader and a unionist at my core. When I left Fiji to come to Hawaii as a student I had no money. My idea of being a unionist was to do public service: help poor people, build a movement, educate workers, live a clean life. I was never interested in getting rich, wheeling and dealing, having fancy cars, living above my means.

Even after I earned a PhD my ambitions remained the same. I worked for a while as an international consultant and briefly at the University of Hawaii. I travelled a lot, read more and more widely, widened my horizons, became increasingly literate in the sciences, in history and biography, literature and poetry, the immediately pertinent literature on the environment--on water in particular. Over the last 25 years I have worked for a non-profit which had an initial endowment of $2.25 million. This was a period of great intellectual growth for me. I had a steady job that paid far less than I might have earned in the private sector or going back to University teaching. I lived modestly, bought and built a modest home (still heavily mortgaged), never drove a fancy car and have always lived within my means.

I waited for many years to be offered a job in Fiji, serving Fiji but that call never came. At two different times Mara offered me jobs in Brussels and Canberra, I declined those job offers. I told Mara that what I wanted was a job in Fiji making good policy rather than carrying out bad policy overseas. Mara was unhappy. I was happy that I told him the truth by looking him in the eye. Mara told me that I had enemies in Fiji like: John Falvey, Lyle Cupit, Charlie Stinson, Len Usher, some Indian "leaders" and others (Ramzan, K.B. Singh, Maurice Scott--that gang). I said that I could well understand that. I made it plain that if I came back to Fiji I would not buckle down to people like Stinson, Falvey, Usher and their likes.

Tora turned out differently. His record is open to be seen. Ramzan hated him. AD Patel, Madhavan, Koya, Ramrakha, Jai Ram Reddy and other Indian leaders mishandled Tora and basically drove him into the arms of the Alliance. Once in the Alliance Tora did all kinds of things including making the fatal mistake of instigating, sup[porting and aiding and abetting the 1987 coup. That was a bad decision. Tora also went in over his head in getting involved with suspicious foreigners in Fiji. Tora made his bed, as the old English expression goes, and now he lies on it.

Tora and I turned out very differently. Intellectually Tora got stuck in 1959--pretty much frozen in place. I became a different person pretty much through higher education. Tora lived overseas for a while then came back to Fiji. I never really went back to Fiji. After 1987 I pretty much gave up on Fiji. This may surprise many people: I did not become an American citizen until 2011 -- fully fifty years after I first came to the US.

My personal view is that Anit Singh is right: union leaders in Fiji have become corrupt. I should make it clear that although I have the same last name as Felix Anthony, we are not related at all--certainly not by blood. By and large union leaders in Fiji have done well for themselves as Anit describes some of their greedy behavior. A shame and a disgrace.

I am reminded about what one Fijian informant told Professor Spate in 1959 when he was working on what became the Spate Report: "We have given tabua after tabua after tabua, till there are no tabua left--and Fiji is still the same."

Like a crab, Fiji has gone backwards. Corrupt union leaders, corrupt politicians, corrupt business people, corrupt public servants--they all make up a pattern of corruption. Very sad.

It was once said if Fiji that Fiji was the way the world should be. Then came Rabuka, the man who had received his instructions from God--so he has said. And bingo Fiji was changed for the worse. And the decline has been steady--and, apparently continues.

Whether Professor Biman is a PEST (Labasa people usually are) or not orwhether Prof. Biman has the 'S' factor or not (Labasa people usually dont) we dont know or care!

However, if as Wilson above says that Mauritius is only prosperous because they don't have any indigenous people there then what are we in Fiji waiting for - Lets get rid of our indigenous people and be prosperous! Simple formula for success!

Fiji cannot honestly address issues pertaining to race so long as it is being governed illegally. So, even more fundamental than the issue of race right now is the issue of treason. Bainimarama's 'government' is committing treason everyday and playing the race card to distract us from the fact. Only when Fiji has a legal government again can Fijians begin to get traction on race and other issues.

Well said Dr James Anthony...I have heard and read so much stories about you....finally I can read your aspiration thoughts about Fiji...please if you could provide me your email address as I would like to contact you and find more depth insights of how we the grassroots people of Fiji can assist in turning around from all these MESS we are right now....COUP4.5 is it possible to send Dr James email address to me?...God Bless...

As far as i'm concern the Union in Fiji has been misused by crooked people and Government were not smart enough to managed it's activities appropriately.Had Government had manage the Union properly, Fiji economy would have been one of the best in the world? I say No Military & No Union in Fiji. I think that the AG Decree on the Union does need modificationand can start off with a special Union commissioner whose job is to makes rules & regulations for this organisation?

I TOTALLY AGREE FELIX ANTHONY AND OTHER UNION MEMBERS ARE THE BIGGEST THIEVES- no matter how much they deny - its a fact of life - the BIGGEST KING THIEF IS MAHEN CHAUDHARY- take felix for eg he was full supporting the frank govt when he was on their team - when he was kicked out - he started a different tune - him , mahen and other labour memebers are all same ---the THE BIGGEST HYPRCRITE one would or will ever imagine in their lifes - felix was queit coz he was getting good perks and kickbacks from natodola related contracts that were going to his buddies like METAL WORKS ETC ETC and his brother MARTIN etc - comon guys WHERE IS MORAL LAW,- DO u guys believe in KARMA- Its still not too late- or are u scared of losing your PARADO and full time driver - so u can can go and relax at boat club on sun

Pls Dr Anthony,can you tell us how much money you got from Shaista Shameem for doing her Media Review? You blame Indian leaders for Tora. What have you contributed to Fiji besides sniping from your home in Hawaii? At least people like Mr Chaudhry for all his many faults is still fighting the fight in Fiji.

Anon 201, you doth protest too much, which rather reinforces my point. James Anthony is history. I do not want to waste time on him, but when people fabricate the past and make accusations about others, that is a different matter. Give me Jai Ram Ram Reddy and even Mahendra Chaudhry any day. These men might have got things wrong, but they were not like ordinary toads who come out when it rains and hide when the sun shines.

It is insane comparing Jai Ram Reddy with MP Chaudhary. One is a great leader, honest and dedicated whereas MP Chaudhary is a CONMAN, a traitor of farmers, a MILLIONARE with money collected for poor farmers deposited in his personal account at Commonwealth Bank in Australia - $F3.5 Million

In addition, money collected after the coups for the Fiji Labor Party, overseas has not been accounted for? where is this money - MP Chaudhary?

M P Chaudhary, you con man, you bastard, where is all the money collected on behalf of poor sugar cane farmers?

Why almost $3.5 MILLION DOLLARS DEPOSITED IN YOUR CBA ACCoUNT IN AUSTRALIA?

When are you going to Distribute it to the farmers? You SOB?

And ya also fooling the poor farmers in labasa about resettlement in Brazil/Argentina and collecting application fees of $30 each – You CONMAN – Whats the difference between you and Lolohea….both Master CON ARTISTS.

@2.49. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT about Chaudhry. Poor feller is indeed still fighting the fight in Fiji. Unlike Dr Anthony who is heavily morgaged in Hawaii even today.

Poor Chaudhry how long has he been the leader of FLP? Ho wlong has FLP been formed and controlled by POOR Chaudhry?

So for how long has he been STILL fighting?

I thought Chaudhry was given mandate to talk and talk and talk and sort and sort and sort.

BUT you saying he is STILL fighting.

Was it not Chaudhry that said Qarase left too much mess and "Chaudhry " needed 5 years to stay under Bainimarama's skirt to sort out SDL's mess?

And his lover boy Vayshnoi taking over as an interim minister said the coup was god sent?

So what the F....K has Chaudhry been fighting and how long more will he be fighting.. and for who?

His mandate came to an end i.e. his 5 years of mandate was only valid until March 2011.

So who does he represent? Has he got a fresh mandate to dialog to rape the constitution or colloborate robbery of nation at gun point.

Some of "US INDIANS" do NOT support CHAUDHRY to seek ANY dialogue to ANY change to the LAWFUL Constitution.

If he wants to be a part of that new constitution process... then HE IS NOT FIGHTING but peeping beneath Khaiyum's SULU checking out his other hidden strategies.

We INDIANS respect your Chiefs and embrace them as our Chief also as they after handing out the 1997 constitution, they pleged that they are chiefs for all people of Fiji.

We INDIAN's WILL NOT participate in any dialogue for any review of constitution. Unlike Chaudary.

Dr Anthony .. these people who insult you by talking against you .. do they have anything to show about their own performance.

YES they DO. 6 years of Lamu Sona!!!!!

If the lease was renewed and we were still in our cane fields. we could have fought back and joined hands that we cannot see where they are. When the goons would come we could hide in the middle of the cane fields.

But now living in squatter settlements .. there is nowhere to run ... even bilibili is a risk as we can't swim !!!

@2.49. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT about Chaudhry. Poor feller is indeed still fighting the fight in Fiji. Unlike Dr Anthony who is heavily morgaged in Hawaii even today.

Poor Chaudhry how long has he been the leader of FLP? Ho wlong has FLP been formed and controlled by POOR Chaudhry?

So for how long has he been STILL fighting?

I thought Chaudhry was given mandate to talk and talk and talk and sort and sort and sort.

BUT you saying he is STILL fighting.

Was it not Chaudhry that said Qarase left too much mess and "Chaudhry " needed 5 years to stay under Bainimarama's skirt to sort out SDL's mess?

And his lover boy Vayshnoi taking over as an interim minister said the coup was god sent?

So what the F....K has Chaudhry been fighting and how long more will he be fighting.. and for who?

His mandate came to an end i.e. his 5 years of mandate was only valid until March 2011.

So who does he represent? Has he got a fresh mandate to dialog to rape the constitution or colloborate robbery of nation at gun point.

Some of "US INDIANS" do NOT support CHAUDHRY to seek ANY dialogue to ANY change to the LAWFUL Constitution.

If he wants to be a part of that new constitution process... then HE IS NOT FIGHTING but peeping beneath Khaiyum's SULU checking out his other hidden strategies.

We INDIANS respect your Chiefs and embrace them as our Chief also as they after handing out the 1997 constitution, they pleged that they are chiefs for all people of Fiji.

We INDIAN's WILL NOT participate in any dialogue for any review of constitution. Unlike Chaudary.

Dr Anthony .. these people who insult you by talking against you .. do they have anything to show about their own performance.

YES they DO. 6 years of Lamu Sona!!!!!

If the lease was renewed and we were still in our cane fields. we could have fought back and joined hands that we cannot see where they are. When the goons would come we could hide in the middle of the cane fields.

But now living in squatter settlements .. there is nowhere to run ... even bilibili is a risk as we can't swim !!!

James Anthony seems to enjoy blowing his own trumpet about his past achievements in life.In addition, his rendition seems like a ghastly self written eulogy about how he wants to be remembered after he has passed on. Is there some personal health issue we should know about Anthony or has old age self glorification set in??

What the public really likes to know here is, how much taxpayers money was paid to you for services to the illegal regime or to individuals of rank since 2006.

Yes, Anonymous 1:29 has a valid point. How can anyone claim that the sanctimonious James Anthony made his money legitimately when his payments came from services voluntarily rendered to the members of an illegal regime? Isn't this worse than receiving stolen property, or accepting the proceeds from a crime, and more akin to forty pieces of silver in return for betraying the people of Fiji?